NPR Story

3:09 pm

Tue October 1, 2013

Texas Reaching Out To Provide Voter IDs

SAN ANTONIO - As Texas inches closer to a statewide election in November, officials are reaching out to people without proper identification. Citizens without an ID can apply for an election certificate starting this week.

When the U.S. Supreme Court stripped some provisions of the Voting Rights Act this summer, it essentially gave Texas the green light to go ahead with a controversial law that requires people to carry ID to the polls.

Democrats and civil rights groups said it would unfairly impact older voters and the poor who don't have the means to obtain an ID, so the state created what's called and Election Identification Certificate. It's like an ID but can only be used for voting.

This week, state officials are setting up mobile locations for people to apply for an EIC.

"With the upcoming Nov. 5 election we want to make sure every Texan has the ID they need to be able to cast a ballot. These mobile units make getting an EIC more convenient," said Alicia Pierce of the Texas Secretary of State's Office.

So far only 10 people in the state have obtained a certificate.

The Texas Voter ID law still faces lawsuit threats from the Department of Justice. This week, Attorney General Eric Holder filed suit against the state of North Carolina for its Voter ID Law, and the Supreme Court tossed out Arizona's Voter ID law this past summer.